Acetylene-qas-generating lamp



- (mi Model.)

No. 6|7,7l0. Patented Ian. l7, I899 Y W. A. BARROWS.

AGETYLENE GAS GENERATING LAMP.

(Applicatign filed June 1, 1697.)

' no particular part of my invention.

Ehnrnn Snares Farnnr WALTER A. BARROWS, OF CHICAGO ILLINOIS.

ACEI'YLEINE-CvAlzwGENERATlNG- LAMP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Iatent No. 617,710, dated January 17, 1899.

' Application filed June 1, 1897. Serial No. 638,870. No model.

To all whom, it may concern.-

lle it known that l, WALTER A. Bannows, of Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, have invented ccrtain new and useful Improvements in Lamps, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates particularly to lamps for bicycles and the like wherein acetylene gas is used and its object is to provide novel and efiicient means for generating and controlling the gas. i

My invention also has for another object to prevent explosions by providing a safety arrange'ment.

My invention embodies other novel and advantageous features of construction and operation, which'will be apparent from the description hereinafter given. I

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a central sectional elevation of my lamp; Fig. 2, a bottom plan thereof with the gasgenerator removed; Fig. 3, a similar plan, but with the bottom plate of Fig. 2 removed; Fig. 4, another similar plan, but with the disk valve of Fig. 3 removed; and Fig. 5, a detail view of a modified form of the safety device.

My lamp employs thelamp-body 1, protractor 2, lens 3, and side lights 4, which are of the usual and well-known construction and form The lamp-body is hinged at 5 at one side to a reservoir 6, adapted to contain the water neces sary in the generation of the gas. The body is held locked upon the reservoir by any suitable means, such as the clasp device 7.

The reservoi r has a bottom 8, provided with feed-apertures 9, 10, and 11 of varying diameters for the purpose of obtainlng a variable feed, as hereinafter explained. A plate or disk 12 is secured to the bottom of the rescrvoir by means of screws 1; or otherwise and has apertures 14,15, and 16, similar to and registering with apertures 9, l0, and 11. Between these plates is interposed a flat diskvalve device 17, adapted to control the feedapertunes, and having a handle 18, extending extraneous of the casing. This dish yalve lias'slots 19, adapted to receive the screws 13, and also has apertures 20, 21, an This valve controls the flow of water'from the reservoir, and by shifting it to-dilferent positions at variable predetermined amount of flow is obtained. In order to indicate the registration of the various apertures, aspring- 5 5 tains a sliding bottom 26, having a bowlshaped chamber 27 and cylindrical side 28 at its upper portion, between which and the walls of the cylinder 25 a ring 29 of suitable packing material ispreferably' interposed. Above the bowl is supported a plate 30, having perforations 31 with a vertical supplytube 32, telescoping in a downwardly-extending tube32", securedin the top of the waterchamber. An ordinary gas tip or 'jet 33, ha"- ing a cock 34, communicates with'the supplypipes.

Preferably immediately below the plates a disk 35 of any suitable porous material is arranged and receives the water passing through the apertures when the valve is prop.- erly turned.

The cylinder 25 is open at its bottom and the sliding bottom can bemoved by hand. Around the lower edge of the cylinder is a ring 36, which is fitted rather tight therein,

6: cylinder is open at top and bottom and conbut removable upon considerable pressure? The ring projects slightly over the opening of the cylinder and normally acts as astop for the movable bottom.

A vent may be provided for the water-reservoir, such as a pip'e'S'Z, projecting from the top thereof and out through the lamp-body. The end is provided with a cap .38, which can be turned to open or close a small opening to the atmosphere. This vent may be dispensed witlnand it is nonessential to the lamp unless a gravity water-feed only is desired.

Any suitable form of bracket attachment, such as 39, may be employed.

My lamp operates as follows: The cylinder is preferably removedfrom the upper portion, so as to be accessible from the top for -ch'arging. The calcium carbid is placed within the cylinder and rests upon the perfo- "rated plate 30. The bottomis moved inward,

as shown in Fig. 1, and the valve 1 Tie moved so as to connecta set of the holes or passages gOlll the waicr-cbaoiber, The amount of waier fed is regulated by the valve, which msyconnect able straining or filtering then passes into the chamber or cup '27,

use.

the holes of varying diameters. The gas now generated passes downward, beiugprcierabiy filtered in its passage through any suitmatcrial 40, and

whence it passes upwardly through the pipe 32 to the jet 33. The -water from the chamber moistens the porous disk and passes therethrougb, supplying the gasgensratiug chamber with the water required. To obtain an increased generation, the valve turned so as to connect the largesp watcopassages to give so increased fiow of water. When it is desired to extinguish the lamp, the valve is turned to cut c the water-feed and the sliding bottom is drawn. downward, whereupon the generation of gas will. cease.

When the gas is being generated, some of the gas may pass through the water-feed passages,and without the veutdevioe would cause a pressure feed of the water, the cop were openfihe small amount of such gas above the water would esoapeand the water would; feed by gravity. The gas having a free pus sage throrgh ihe tip or burner wili choose that route and but an inconsiderable amount would pass into the water-chamber.

tracking from the lamp.

The bottom of the cylinder may be entirely taken out for recharging or for other purposes by sliding it downward forcibly to re move the ring 36. This removable ring also provides the safety element of my lamp. In case a high pressure is generated the bObiiOl'll may be blown out by the gas without destroy ing or injuring the lamp.

In Fig, I have shown another form of the safety feature, in which the cylinder base number of holes 41 near the lower end, which is open, but prevents the withdrawal of the bottom. The sides of the cupsbapcd bottom have correspoudingholes 42, so that when the gas-pressure forces the sliding bottom downward the holes 41 and 4:2 will register-and gas-pressure will blow out therethrough.

By the usoof my invention I provide a simple and efioient lamp which iseasy of control'alnd regulation and absolutely safe in The amount of gastobe generated can be regulated, and the generation may be stopped 'in a simple manner. Ibis possible to remove or separate the active materials when desired, so that suchmaterials may not be Wasted, whereby a single charge of tho carbid will lasta considerable length of time.

Although I have described more or less precise forms and details of cousiruction, I do not intend to limit myself thereto, as I contemplate changes in form, proportion of parts, and the substitution of equivalents as circumstances may suggest or render expedicut without departing from the spirit and scope of my invest-ion and claims.

"While lmay have described and illustrated The i vent device might be omittediwithoutdo chamber,

crime my invention as applied to and embodied in a bicycle-lamp, it will be understood that this is simply one of the many uses towhichit may be put and that I do not limit myself thereto, I therefore contemplate using my invention for all purposes to which it is ap pliable-us, for instance, for ordinary lantorusmehicledamps, house-1am ps,headlights, dsca, and all general illuminating and signaling purposes.

I claim- 1. The combination of a water-receptacle, an acetylene-gas-generating chamber or cylinder, having an open end, a manually-opcrated movable abutment forming a gas-tight closure for theopen end of said chamber, the chamber communicating with the water-rcceptacle substantially at its other-end, means for controlling the passage of water from the receptacle to the generating-chamber, and a gas-outlet loading from the generating-chamher without passing through said abutment.

2. Au acetylene-gas generator comprising a water-receptacle, a casing forming a gasgenerating chamber provided with an open end and having communication with the water-chamber, a movable abutment forming the bottom and gas-tight closure for closing the open end of the chamber, a wall or partition located between the water-receptacle and thegeneratingbchamberand having openings th'erethrough and a gas-outlet pipe leading from the bottom of the generating-chamber without passing through said abutment.

3. An acetylene-gasgenerating device for lamps, comprising a water-chamber, a cylinder or casing therebelow forming the gas-.

generating chamber and having an open end, a movable abntme'nt or g s -tigl1t closure adapted to slide up and down in the generating-chamber and to closesuch open end, the. bottom of the water-chamber having openings cnterin g the generating-chainber,a valve con- IIO trolling such openings and a gas-outlet lcadleg from the generating -cl1amber without passing through said abutment.

4. In an acetylene-gas lamp. the combination of a casing, a burner therein, a water chamber or receptacle having false or double bottoms, a casing thorebelow forming the gasgenerating chain her, the double bottoms haviug passagps entering the generating-climb her, a disk valve controlling such passages and interposed between such'bottoms and a passage or pipe from thegenerating-chamber to the burner. 1

5. In an acetylene-gas lamp, the combina- Lion, with a casing and a burner tlicroimofi a water chamboror reservoir, a casing there below. forming a gas-generating chamber, :1 partition located between the chambers and provided with openings therothrough, a cups'haped gas-tight bottom in the generatinga perforated plate supported thereby and a pipe leading'from the generating chamber to the burner.

6 in an actylcne-gas lamp, the combination with a casing and. a burner therein, of a water-chamber, a casing adjacent thereto forming the generating-chainher, means of communication between the chambers, a on pshapcd closure or bottom for the casing slidable in the generating-chamber, a perforated plate upon such bottom on which the calcium carbid rests and forming a. chamber for the gas when generated wardly through the water-chamber to the burner.

7. In an acetylene-gas lamp, the oorubination with a lam p-casing and a burner therein, of a water-chamber, a casing forming a generating chamber, means of communication between the chambers, a sliding bottom in the generating-chamber, a ring upon the bottom edge of the generator-casing normally acting as a stop for the sliding bottom but removable upon considerable pressure and a passage or pipe from the generating-chamber to the burner.

8. In an acetylene-gas lamp, the combination with the lamp-frame and its burner therein, of a water-chamber, a casing therebelow forming the generatingchamber, means of communication between the chambers, a pipe extending downwardly through the waterchamber' into the generating-chamber and connected to the burner, a movable bottom in .the casing and a supply-pipe movable with such bottom and teiescopingin the first named pipe.

9. In an acetylene-gas lamp, the combination of a water-chamber, havinga bottom provided with openings, a second bottom or plate also having openings, screws or pins for securing the same to the bottom of the chamber, a disk valve having slots to accommodate the screws or pins and located between the said bottoms, such valve having openings adapted to register with and connect the openings in the bottoms, and a casing below the water-chamber forming the generating-charm her, a gas burner and a connection thereto from the generating-chamber.

10. An acetylene-gas lamp comprising the lamp-body and its burner, a water-chamber, a generating-chamber located adjacentthereto and having an open end or bottom, a movable abutment or gas-tight closure forclosbottoms, a

ing such open end, a connection lcadingfrom the bottom of the generating-chamber to the burner without passing through said abutment and means forclosing and opening communication between thechambers and for regulating the amount of water fed to the generating-chamber.

11. In an acctylenagas lamp, the combination with a lamp-body and its burner, of a Water-chamber having a bottom with openings of varying diameters, a second bottom havingsimiiar openings, a disk valve having openings corresponding to-the holesin said generating-chamber below the wator-chamber and a communication therefrom to the burner.

and a pipe loading up- 12. In an acetylene-gas lamp, the combina tion with a lamp-body and its burner, of a water-chamber, a gas-generating chamber therobclow, a regulated passage between the chambers, a movable bottom in the generating-chamber comprising a ring portion 28 fit ting the interior plate 30 resting upon such bottom and forming a cup-shaped chamber 27, and a pipe loading therefrom to the burner.

13. In an acetylenefgas lamp, the combinetion with a lamp-body and its humor, of a water-chamber, a casing therebelow, aregu latod passage between the water -chamber and the casing, such lower end and having a gas-tight movable closure or bottom adapted to be slid up and down therein, such bottom alone closing the open end of the casing and being capable of manual operation, and a as-outletlcading from the generating-chamber without passing through said bottom.

14. In a lamp generating and using acetylene gas, the combination, with the case and burner therein, of a water-chamber, a generating-chamber adapted to receive the carbid and having an open end, porous material separating the chambers but permitting the restricted passage of water, a gas-outlet from near the bottom of thegenerating-chamber and through the 'carbid without passing through said bottom, and a movable bottom or gas-tight closure adapted to slide up and down in the generating-chamber and to close theopen end of such'chambem 15. In an acetylene-gas lamp, the combina-- tion of awater-chamber, a gasgenerating chamber adapted'to receive the carbid and having an open end, a porous partition between the chambers and located at the top of the generating-chamber, a valve device also between the chambers for controlling the water to the porous partition and into the gencrating-chamber, a movable bottom or gastight closure adapted to slide up and down in the generating @chamber and to close the open end of such chamber, and a gas-outlet leading from the generating-chamberwithout passing through said bottom.

l6. In an acetylene-gas lamp, the combination of a water-chamber, a gas-generating chamber adjacent thereto and containing the carbid, such generatingchamber having an open end,a movable abutment slidablc in the generating-chamber and forming the bottom and closure 'for said generating-chamber, a partition of porous material between the chambers and located at the top of the generating-chamber, a valve device controlling the water to the porous material and having means for regulating the amount of water fed, and agas-0utlet leading from the generatingchamber without passing through saicl'abutment.

1?. loan acetylene-gas lamp, the combination of a water-chamber having a bottom or aperture or passage, a i also plate with an casing being open at its of the chamber, a perforated bottom or plate havinga similar passage, a movable disk interposed between the plates and provided with a passage adapted to register with and connect the passages in'the plates when such disk is properly turned, a gas-generating chamber located below the water-chamber and having an open end, a

movable abutment slidablein the generatingchamber and forming the bottom and closure for said generating-chamber, such abutment beingadapted to be forced or blown outwardly upon an undue expansion of the gas, and a gas-outlet from the generating-chamber.

18. In an acetylene-gas lamp, the combination of a water-reservoir 6, a casing 25 formin g a generathig-chamber,a'bottom S forthe' water-chamber,a second bottom 12 and a movable disk valve 17, the two bottoms and the disk having openings of varying diameters whichpermit of the passage of water in variable feed into the generating-chamber.

19. In an acetylene-gas lamp, the combination of a water-reservoir 6, a casing formwith and connect the passages in the plates when such disk is properly turned, a casing below the water-chamber forming a generat-, in g-cha'mber, a porous pad or partition located adjacent to the false bottom of thewaterchamber and substantially at the top of the generating-chamber and a supply-pipe leading from the generating-chamber.

21. In. an acetylene-gaslamp, the combination of a water-reservoir 6, a casing 25 forming a generating-chamber, double partitions or plates 8 and 12 having openings of varying diameters, a valve 17 'controlling such openings, a burner, a pipe 32 communicating therewith and extending downward through the water-chamber and into the generatingchamber, a movable bottom 26 in the latter chamber,"and a pipe 32 carried thereby and telescoping with the first pipe.

22. In a gas-lamp, the combination of a water-chamber, a generating-chamber having a bottom, means for regulating communication between the chambers, a perforated partition located in the generating-chamber upon said bottom and supporting the carbid and an outlet-pipe leading from the generating chamher from below the partition and passing upward through the generating chamber directly to the burner without passing through said bottom.

23. In an acetylene-gas lamp, the combination with a ease and a burner, of a water'- chamber, a gas-generating chamber located therebelow, a movable bottom therein, means of communication between the chambers for the passage of water to the generating-chamber, means for regulating such communication, a perforated horizontal partition located in the generating-"chamber upon the movable bottom and supporting the calcium carbid, and an outlet-pipe communicating with the generating-chamber near its bottom and below the partition and extending upwardly through the entire generating-chamber and also through the water-chamber to'the burner without passing thr ugh said bottom.

24. An acetylene-gas lampcomprising a water-chamber,.a generating-chamber adapted to hold the carbid and having an open end, a movable abutment slidable in the enerating-ohamber and forming the bottom and closure for such open end, a perforated partition on the abutment supporting the carbid and forming a chamber or pocket between itself and the'abutment, and a telescopic outlet-pipe movable with the abutment and communicating withlthe pocket,'such pipe passing upwardly through the generatirfgchamber.

WALTER A. BARROWS.

Witnesses: 4 W. H; SNYDER,-

SAMUEL E. HIBBEN. 

